Twenty Hennessey hair stylists donated their time to cut and style hair by donation—while some patrons donated their long hair. Among those donating their locks was Stephanie Dodge, whose half-metre (20-inch) -long hair will be used to provide human-hair wigs to children with hair loss, due to cancer treatment or other serious illnesses.

Money raised at the event will help cover the cost of essential drugs and feeding supplies that are not covered by any agency or program.

Bev Friesen founded Wigs for Kids B.C. when she learned human hair wigs cost up to $3,000 and no organizations existed to help cover the cost.

She said at any given time there are over 1,000 children undergoing cancer treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital. Most patients lose their hair temporarily, some permanently.

“Having a proper-fitting wig that looks and feels like the real thing is important to the child’s recovery,” said Friesen. “Some children are so upset when they lose their hair, they refuse to return to school. Some even refuse to leave the house.

“Having a human hair wig means that when the child is able to resume their normal activities, their baldness is one question they don’t have to answer.”

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